News

Whether is is happening at the Rio Texas United Methodist Center in San Antonio or out in the mission field, we want you to know what is going on! Check out our Twitter and Facebook to keep updated as well! @RioTXAC

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

I am thankful for my church today. The United Methodist Church is not a perfect church, but it is my church. I am thankful for it today, and I celebrate it.

I celebrate with you that every church in the Coastal Bend district that suffered major damage fulfilled their connectional giving (apportionments). Connectional giving supports ministries throughout the conference and connection. I am not lifting this up to celebrate the paying of apportionments but rather to celebrate faithfulness and resilience even in the midst of Hurricane Harvey.

The new Rio Texas Conference Safety Certification Ministry, TRUSTed Confianza is off to an incredible start. In 2017 (August-December), 877 persons submitted an application with Safe Gatherings and 640 persons completed a TRUSTed Confianza online or in person training.

Districts and Churches have gathered for in-person trainings and participated in online training together. First UMC, Kerrville had 134 persons participate in their in-person training. First UMC, New Braunfels welcomed 74 to their in-person training. El Buen Pastor UMC. Edinburg recently gathered 42 of their staff and volunteers to attend an online training together.

Rio Texas United Methodist Churches found ways to make room for more people than ever this Christmas. From worship in a bar to worship under a tent, from small churches adding extra chairs to large churches adding extra services, congregations ensured everyone had a place to celebrate the birth of the Messiah.

The Rio Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is pleased to announce they are in the process of receiving a new church into the conference.

Leaders of the Rio Texas Conference and Austin New Church (ANC), a former Free Methodist Church, began in Spring 2017 to explore whether The United Methodist Church might be the right home for ANC. As conversations developed between ANC’s clergy and leaders in the Rio Texas Conference, there was a mutual sense of resonance and excitement about a possible partnership.

As Rio Texas churches are preparing for Christmas Eve worship, some are including Lydia Patterson Institute (LPI) in their plans. Leander United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church, Austin are designating their Christmas offerings to support the LPI Capital Campaign.

In October, Rosa Maria Hernandez, a child of undocumented immigrants, was taken into custody by the US Border Patrol as she was transported through a checkpoint on her way to a Corpus Christi hospital for emergency surgery. Rosa, who has cerebral palsy, was then transported to a shelter in San Antonio where she was held for ten days. In the days following her detention, many groups and organizations protested these actions by the US government.

United Methodist bishops are exploring three possible models for how the church should handle LGBTQ inclusion.

The models come to the bishops from the Commission on a Way Forward, which has the task of trying to find a way for the church to stay together despite deep divides over homosexuality.

The bishops have been meeting in closed session Nov. 6-9 to discern whether the commission is heading in the right direction. The bishop-appointed commission has three more meetings planned early next year, and the bishops do not plan to develop any final recommendations until May 2018.

In the days since the tragedy in Sutherland Springs, many churches have been seeking information about keeping their congregations and places of worship safe. Church Mutual, the insurance provider for all Rio Texas Conference churches, has provided a wealth of information to help faith communities plan for unforeseen events.

As worship services wrapped up Sunday morning, November 5, churchgoers across the conference began to hear the terrible news out of Sutherland Springs. The tiny town about 40 miles east of San Antonio was rocked this morning when a gunman opened fire inside First Baptist Church, killing at least 26 and injuring 20 more.

In response, Rio Texas Churches have reached out in support of the church and community. Churches have also sought support in ways to be in ministry with those who grieve and to ensure the safety of congregations. These resources are being provided to help local churches respond.

A small group of Las Misiones District preachers traveled to Monterrey to take part in a national gathering of Methodist pastors to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the protestant reformation. Seven annual conferences were represented at Encuetro: Nacional de Pastores held at the Iglesia Metodista la Trinidad.

They heard several lectures from premier scholar Justo Gonzalez. He preached about Martin Luther’s hammer and nailing of the Ninety-five Thesus and its connection to the hammer and nails that went through Jesus’ wrist.

They also compared the differences between American and Mexican United Methodist cultures. “We saw another side of the picture between both cultures in the U.S. and Mexico,” said Emanuel UMC’s Pastor Jose Mercado. “It helped me understand the more about the culture as a Puerto Rican pastor.”

“It reminded us of the power of the connectional system and the connectional church we are a part of,” said Coker UMC’s Pastor David Blanco. “Overall, it was an amazing, fantastic experience.”

As worship services wrapped up Sunday morning, churchgoers across the conference began to hear the terrible news out of Sutherland Springs. The tiny town about 40 miles east of San Antonio was rocked this morning when a gunman opened fire inside First Baptist Church, killing at least 26 and injuring 20 more.

Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference called Aguilar upon hearing the news to offer the support of the Conference. Schnase said, "This was an outrageous, senseless, and tragic act. We pray God's blessings on families, friends, and the entire community. We pray for those who will face rebuilding their lives after such deep loss. We pray for those who were injured, that God's healing grace may be upon them."

128 people from the Rio Texas Conference gathered at the 2017 Leadership Institute at The Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Clergy and lay people alike gathered to learn more about how to revitalize their community and lead in their current context. Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference and Rio Texas’ own Ruben Saenz, Jr., Bishop of the Great Plains Annual Conference were at the opening session to welcome and encourage the group.

Attendees took home new knowledge and information to put into action to make their congregations more fruitful in the future. Mark your calendars for next year's Leadership Institute September 26-28, 2018.

The red carpet, the cameras, the celebrities! Most are familiar with the glamorous presentations of the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Daytime Emmy Awards. However, there are a number of different Emmy Categories whose awards are presented throughout the country at different times of the year.

At the Mid-America Emmy® Awards Gala on September 9 in St. Louis, the award for Short form Program went to "We Are More - Beyond The Walls" featuring Rev. Robert Johnson. The short film is a part of the United Methodist We Are More campaign. The campaign was developed under the leadership of Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference, during his time as Bishop of the Missouri Annual Conference. Kim Jenne, Schnase's Director of Connectional Ministries in Missouri, led a team of communicators from across the South Central Jurisdiction and worked with Antidote Studio to produce the videos. These stories of ministry were shared on the web, social media, and at churches and conferences around the country.

50 UMC leaders from across the South Central Jurisdiction were in the Rio Grande Valley at Encuentro on Oct. 13 to learn about Hispanic culture and issues facing this rapidly growing demographic.

This group of folks included most of the bishops of the South Central Jurisdiction. They came with a wonderful spirit of openness to new possibilities regarding Hispanic ministries and a desire to see with new eyes.

They listened and learned from social scientists, medical professionals, local clergy, advocacy groups, and community center leaders. They visited different locations along the border, including a special worship service and meal at Los Naranjos colonia.

We celebrate this wonderful Encuentro experience and it gives us hope!

Global Migration Sunday has been set for December 3, the first Sunday of Advent. On this date, all United Methodist churches are asked to gather an offering dedicated to responding to human suffering caused by migration. bUnited Methodists will have an opportunity to support millions of displaced people throughout the world, as well as deepen the church’s understanding of the biblical call to welcome and care for the displaced.

Applications are now being received for the 2nd- year class of this program. The program is looking for church and community resident teams to participate in this program of learning processes in Asset-Based Community Development [ABCD]. Class size is limited to four teams.

The soggy sheetrock and insulation is removed. The carpet is gone and the mud slopped out. 56,000 feet of tarp are on damaged roofs. The fallen trees are cut and stacked at the curb. Now what?

Once the Early Response Teams (ERT) have completed their work, the next phase begins–recovery. United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) sends groups of volunteers to repair home storm damage in affected communities to help residents get back on the way to a normal life. This process can take years: residents of Wimberley, TX still need assistance more than two years after the devastating 2015 Blanco River floods destroyed so much property.

In response to Hurricane Harvey, the Mission Vitality Center brings on board two key positions to lead the disaster recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Harvey. This is as a result of assessment and consultation with Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference; Cabinet; the Conference Disaster Response Committee and the United Methodist Committee on Relief [UMCOR].

Vicki McCuistion will serve as Disaster Recovery Asset Manager and will begin this work full-time in mid-October. This role will manage the assets offered by partners both within and outside of the Conference through donations and volunteer teams. This role will also gather stories and updates that invite continued support and involvement over the long-term timeline of recovery.

This team consists of youth (6th-12th grade) and adults from across the Rio Texas Conference.

These youth are leaders who want to make a difference in the United Methodist Church. Youth are confirmed members in their local church and serve in their local churches, their district, the conference, and beyond. The council consists of youth from each of the seven Rio Texas conference districts and reflects the diversity of our conference.

I was so grateful when Rev. Owen Ross invited me to be a part of the team allowed to enter the Tornillo detention facility to lead worship with the immigrant kids held there. So many people have wished there were something they could do in response to what we’ve seen happen with unaccompanied minors and especially immigrant children separated from their parents at the border, and I felt truly privileged to have the chance to stand in that place.

Churches throughout the Crossroads District came together to celebrate on Saturday, April 21. The District was honored to welcome Bishop and Mrs. Schnase and Rev. Diana Phillips and her husband Mark as special guests.

Fifteen college students and supporters from San Antonio Wesley and Texas State United Campus Ministry went on a mission trip to Costa Rica over Spring Break 2018. Students spent the week helping a local Costa Rica Methodist Church in Rio Cuarto as it prepared to expand its reach into the local community.

I just attended the first annual CMN conference in Dallas this past week and I got a word from God! CMN [Church Multiplication Network] is the Assembly of God church planting network. Since 2008, CMN has helped launch 3400 plus churches and trained over 7500 planters. The worship was intense and the speakers were inspirational!

Join us from 9:00 am -4:30 pm on Saturday, September 15 at Coker United Methodist Church.

Are you wondering why so many people are talking about the Enneagram? What is that strangely-shaped star? Or maybe you have never heard of the Enneagram at all, but you seek to grow in your faith and well-being. While not an exclusively Christian tool, many Christians have used the Enneagram wisely and well to draw closer to God. Wherever you're starting from, you're invited to an introduction to this profound way of looking at who we are and our paths to spiritual growth.

More than 6000 homes were affected in late June when torrential rains caused widespread flooding in the Rio Grande Valley, especially in Weslaco, Mercedes, and Pharr. The full extent of the damage and need is still being assessed. According to current FEMA registrations, 8457 homes have been damaged and 1662 destroyed.

The bishops of the five Annual Conferences in Texas today issued a joint statement commending President Trump for signing an executive order ending his administration’s policy of separating families on the border. Furthermore, the bishops urged readers to contact their congressional representative and senators to continue expressing concerns for the separated children and calling for legislation to keep families together.

The tradition continues with our very own Clergy Choir (Plus) providing music for our Annual Conference Ordination Service on Friday evening June 8. Other musically inclined delegates and spouses or youth are also invited to participate.

You’ve probably have heard of mall walking—now Rio Texas is going to be “conference walking”! In the interest of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness, the new Rio Texas Wellness Team is inviting Annual Conference attendees to track the number of steps they walk during our gathering this year in Corpus Christi, June 6-9.

El Valle District Ministry Center is a vision of the district which involved repurposing a closed church and building ministry partners. The building was redesigned to support its new purposes. We envision partnering with other groups to educate and promote healthy eating and healthy choices. We aim to help lower childhood obesity rates in the Rio Grande Valley.

May 9, 2018

Rio Texas Annual Conference16400 Huebner Road | San Antonio, Texas 78248 | 210-408-4500...and all throughout the mission field of south Texas